Latin dance class connects shepherd with sheep

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scotty Sweatt
  • 916th Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Dressed in her spicy orange pants and brown tank top, the fitness instructor puts her CD into the stereo. She hits play, and the music starts to pulse, pumping out the soulful flavor of a Latin dance club. She welcomes those that have come to participate and invites passers-by to "join the party." This instructor is pulling double-duty during lunch of the January unit training assembly. In her other job, she is Major Carol Yeager, 916th Air Refueling Wing chaplain. 

If you've never heard of Zumba, Chaplain Yeager can provide you with a little background about this unique cure for the common workout that is quickly becoming a mainstay with people throughout the world. 

It all began in the 1990s when Alberto "Beto" Perez, an aerobics instructor in Columbia forgot his music for an aerobics class he was about to teach. He went to his car and grabbed the music that he had with him then conducted an impromptu class using the traditional Latin salsa and merengue music that he heard growing up. Zumba was born and has since grown to be an international fitness phenomenon with people from all walks of life heeding its battle cry - "Ditch the workout, join the party!" 

Chaplain Yeager started with Zumba in 2007 when it was offered at her local YMCA in Rowan County, North Carolina. She said that the workouts were so much fun that she would forget that she was working out until she started seeing the results. 

"Just by participating, I went down a full size," she said. She wasn't the only one who noticed; her husband noted the results of her efforts and her passion for Zumba and suggested she should consider being an instructor. She liked the idea and became a certified instructor in April 2008. 

"From a teaching point of view, I like seeing students enjoying themselves and coming back. When I see them making their fitness goals it's all worth it" she said. But also noted that overall she just loves the music.

Chaplain Yeager observed that the wonderful thing about Zumba is that it is so versatile.

"It is intense, high rate cardio and there's a lot of twisting of the waist and knees. People with back and joint problems could have some problems with doing some of the traditional moves, but that's the beauty in Zumba - you can't do it wrong."

When she is instructing a class she always shows a different, lower impact version of the move for anyone who may have problems with the more intensive routine.

In addition to the potential for improving the physical fitness of her students, Chaplain Yeager said that Zumba has given her a unique opportunity to meet peoples' spiritual needs as well.

"From a chaplain's perspective, I see the body as the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells. You wouldn't let your house fall apart, so why would you let your body," she said. "When I teach at the YMCA people know that I'm a pastor, it seems to make me more accessible."

She noted that as a chaplain, instructing Zumba classes during the drill weekend gives her a chance to get out and be with the Airmen in the wing. "It makes me more approachable."

The chaplain is passionate about Zumba and the benefits it provides. She is offering a Zumba class at the base gym during the April drill weekend, but also said that if anyone is interested she will help them find a Zumba class near their home if one is available.